Developmentally based personality assessment of adults with mental retardation

Abstract

Difficulties in assessing emotional and personality disturbances in adults with mental retardation were discussed and an evaluation method overcoming some of these problems presented. Overshadowing, inappropriate equation of emotional symptoms with cognitive limitations, and failure to adjust for the differing functioning levels among persons with mental retardation when judging pathology were cited as reasons to include a specific developmental factor in assessing this group. Projective tests were cited in the literature as being effective techniques, and an apperceptive technique originally intended for use with children was presented as a means of adding the needed developmental factor.